One the the best dinner for me after a long and tiring day! Packed with so much veggie goodness and so comforting. And very easy and quick to make. Sprinkle it with chickpea croutons and enjoy!
Author: maggie's food stories
Growing up respect for all living beings and the environment always had a special place in my heart and mind.
When i was 15 I decided to become a vegetarian and my journey began! I went through so many phases with my eating habits, I can't even remember all of them! Gaining and losing weight on the way, straggling with vitamin deficiencies and the nagging that went with it (let's be honest, back then Cyprus was not ready for a teenager vegetarian!)
In my mid twenties I decided to start learning all about healthy eating and lifestyle and I was transformed! Gone were the constant flu symptoms and fatigue i always felt, my skin and hair started to look and feel healthier, my weight was finally stable!
Little did I know that I would fall in love with cooking - the people who know me cannot believe I actually found my way to the kitchen!! - and start experimenting with all sorts of vegetarian and vegan recipes! I learned so much about the health benefits clean eating, nuts, various vegetable and fruit groups, power foods, grains and seeds and I will be sharing these with you! You feel better, you look better, you live better!
The funny thing about my choice is that you suddenly find people who share this passion! One of these is my good friend Daniel Plackett, who I'm honored to say is a contributor to maggie's foods stories! Daniel is passionate about so many different things, his energy is amazing! He cooks, bakes, does yoga, plays in theater - just to name a few!
I hope you enjoy the recipes and tips as much as we enjoy cooking, learning and sharing them!
maggie x
Ginger & Turmeric Tea
I am determined to fight the cold with nature’s best antioxidants/antibiotics! Ginger and Turmeric are among these. It’s a good thing i love these flavours! Last night i made this lovely tea, which i can safely say will be my night cup until some warmer days come our way!
Chickpea croutons
Chickpeas are one of my favourite legumes! They are delicious, packed with protein and fibers! They can be cooked with tomatoes, roasted with spices, they can be used for hummus! They other day i wanted something to make my soup a little bit more interesting, so I roasted chickpeas and voila chickpea croutons! Great in salads, soups or over really anything.
Let’s talk ….. nuts & seeds!
My family always make jokes that one of these days I’m going to start growing feathers and turn into a bird! Or a tail and turn into a squirrel! What can I do, I have a thing about nuts and seeds! Apart from the fact that they are delicious they are super healthy – a great natural source of vitamins, minerals, protein, fat, and fiber!
Numerous studies have shown that different types of seeds and nuts can actually prevent weight gain and keep our heart healthy and our body disease free.
So, let’s see some of them:
Nuts:
- Almonds have as much calcium as milk, and contain magnesium, vitamin E, selenium and lots of fiber (my personal favourite! I make almond milk, almond butter and use them in so many recipes! Recipes for both in the blog)
- Cashews are rich in minerals like copper, magnesium, zinc, iron and biotin. They are actually a low-fat nut, and like olive oil, they have a high concentration of oleic acid, which is good for your heart.
- Walnuts are extremely good for your heart and brain, and antioxidants (I love making walnut granola – recipe in the blog)
- Pecans have tons of vitamins and minerals like Vitamins E and A, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, B vitamins, and zinc.
- Brazil Nuts are a good source of protein, copper, niacin, magnesium, fiber, vitamin E, and a great source of selenium.
- Pine Nuts have Vitamins A, B, D, E, P and contain 70% of your body’s required amino acids.
Seeds:
- Chia seeds are my favourite! Together with hemp seeds! They are rich in omega-3 oils, protein, anti-oxidants, calcium, and fiber. I love using them in my baking, smoothies or porridge! Tip: you can replace eggs with chia seeds as follows: 1 ‘egg’ = 1 tablespoon chia seeds and 3 tablespoon water. Simply mix them together and let them stand for 10 minutes!
- Hemp seeds are high in protein and fiber, with balanced omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. There is a lot of hype lately about their cancer and heart disease prevention abilities.
- Sunflower seeds are high in folate, Vitamin E, selenium and copper.
- Pumpkin Seeds are great for your immune system with lots of antioxidants (carotenoids), omega-3 fatty acids and zinc.
- Sesame Seeds are a good source of calcium, magnesium, zinc, fiber, iron, B1 and phosphorus. Sesame seeds have also been linked to prevention of many diseases like arthritis, asthma, migraine headaches, menopause, osteoporosis.
And you can also make tahini from them, and add it in your salad, hummus etc!
- Flax seeds are a great source of omega-3s, anti-oxidants and fibers! I love using them in my baking, smoothies or porridge! Tip: like chia seeds, you can replace eggs with flax seeds as follows: 1 ‘egg’ = 1 tablespoon flax seeds and 3 tablespoon water. Simply mix them together and let them stand for 10 minutes!
French toast
I urge you to try this vegan version of french toast. I didn’t quite believe it myself when i tasted how good it was! And it’s very easy to make as well! So it’s safe to say that this will be a stable on my Sunday breakfast table!
Paired with a cup of coffee or warm cacao and maca powder drink – just perfect!
Nut butter, fruit and pumpkin seeds Porridge
I find that if you have a good, healthy and delicious breakfast usually the whole day goes well! I love porridge in the winter and find it very energizing when I come up with a great recipe! It helps me make up my brain and body. So this porridge is a keeper. It boosts you with energy and fuels you for the entire morning.
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Tips for a glowing skin
A beautiful glowing skin is every woman’s wish. To achieve it, I have come to the conclusion that you need a combination of good, natural creams as well as watching your nutrition.I admit I didn’t realise how important what we eat is towards a healthy, glowing skin until a couple of years ago. How did I get this epiphany? I had just given birth to my second daughter and I really felt exhausted and grey all day!! And when you are on maternity you need to kill some time, so I started reading about everything – primarily about healthy eating and everything related to it. And my whole life changed! I started eating berries and leafy greens like crazy! Avocados, nuts, coconut and vouched to remove sugar from my life!
To get clear skin you want to eat foods that are rich in antioxidants, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, B vitamins, water, healthy fats, and naturally low in sugar. These foods will enhance your blood flow and reduce inflammation, two very important factors of a glowing skin.
Here are some of the best clear skin foods that I have come across, with some basic info about each:
1. Broccoli
Broccoli is a fantastic source of Vitamin C, chlorophyll and fiber. Chlorophyll is the best anti-inflammatory agent you can consume and detoxifies cells from the inside out. Broccoli is also low on the glycemic index so it keeps you full, which means you won’t be hungry as quickly as you would from eating refined grains or sugary foods.
2. Pumpkin
It’s rich in Vitamin A and rich in water to keep your skin hydrated. Pumpkin is also low in sugar and high in fiber. This means it’s low on the glycemic index and won’t spike your blood sugar.
3. Almonds
Almonds contain Vitamin E, B vitamins, healthy fats, and protein. They can help keep your skin clear, moist, and provide the building blocks for collagen to keep your skin free from wrinkles. Be sure to choose raw, unsalted almonds since roasted varieties are often high in oils.
4. Carrots
A great source of Vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a natural anti-inflammatory agent and reduces cellular damage. Carrots are also fairly low on the glycemic index and contain high amounts of fiber and Vitamin C.
5. Berries
Berries are high in Vitamin C, which helps repair cellular damage, is a natural anti-fungal aid, and enhances an overall youthful glow.
6. Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are one of the best sources of plant-based omega 3 fats that you can consume. Omega 3 fats help fight inflammation. They are rich in protein and B vitamins, and contain fiber to stabilize your blood sugar.
7. Oats
They’re often recommended for dry skin but they can also help reduce acne as well. Oats contain specific compounds that reduce inflammation to the skin and they’re low on the glycemic index. If you don’t like oats or cannot eat them, quinoa makes a great second option.
9. Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are a foundation in any healthy lifestyle. They’re packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, chlorophyll, B vitamins, and even protein. Consume them whenever you can, however you can (salads, soups, smoothies, juices). Some great options that are easy on the palate include: spinach, kale, arugula, cabbage, broccoli, romaine lettuce, bok choy.
10. Probiotics
Your gut is responsible for getting rid of toxins and when those toxins accumulate, they often come out through the skin in the form of acne. Adding just a few probiotic rich foods to your day can make all the difference to your skin and digestion.
And remember to drink plenty of water!
Peanut butter, honey and raisins porridge
This creamy porridge is dreamy! Is such comforting way to start your day. If you love peanut butter then you have to try it – it’s filling, packed with protein and fibers to keep you fueled all morning.
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Maggie's Food Stories 